Wednesday, August 28, 2013

They are back again after what seems ages, of course it isn't ages, just a couple of months which seems like a lifetime for this band of prolific songsmiths, and what a brilliant release they have for us.....again!

In the past two years, I have twice made a trip back home to England from Sweden to see bands, one of course was The Sharks and, their live performance is every bit as exciting as their music and was well worth the trip, so if you get a chance to see the band play, don't let it pass you by.

The four tracks on this EP further go to bolster the suspicion I have, that they are possibly the greatest Power Pop/Punk band in the world right now, great musicians with great songs and a live set that will blow your socks off.....what more could you possibly want? Free music maybe? Well, unbelievably, you get that too, everything they have released is available for free download or a name your price fee. So tell me, what the fuck are you still doing here reading this shit for, you have some downloading to do!!!!

I received a lovely e mail from WeePOP Records introducing me to their latest release from The Just Joans and if Twee Indie Pop is your thing, then you have come to the right place with this band.

Opening track, "Winters On It's Way," on this collection of "6.9 Love Songs" instantly took me back to the days of Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, BMX Bandits and The Vaselines, it is poppy and bouncy with vocals that are sugar sweet, it is beautifully refreshing and of course the other 5.9 songs follow suit. The vocalists Scottish accents shine through on all the songs, as The Very Most once sang, "All the best bands come from Scotland." If the band had been around at the time of that recording, I think they would certainly of been name checked in that song too. Brilliantly satisfying.

I aslo want to talk a little about the record company that has put this album out. WeePOP Records are a small indie label based in London with DIY ethics. As soon as I visited the site, I almost understood what they were all about immediately.

Entering the site is like opening the pages of those Indie Fanzines that you used to be given, or sold at gigs back in the 80's introducing you to all the new bands that are out there hat you should see, of course, we now have the internet for such things and the fanzines have all but disappeared......sadly.

The label releases limited releases of all their signings, so if you like what you hear when you visit their page, order quickly to avoid disappointment. The songs are not available to download which may or may not be something the label will address in this digital age, but the way the label operates takes me back to another time, a simpler time, a happy time and I love them for that.

When you visit WeePOP Records site you can listen to selected songs from each release they have put out, I spent the best part of a day going through the songs of the 30 bands they have on their roster.

Listen to The Just Joans "Some Boys Are Bigger Than Others" here: WeePop Releases and work your way through the other artists on the label too...naturally.

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love The Just Joans here: Facebook

Contact, befriend, follow, like and love WeePOP Records here to keep up with any new releases: WeePOP Facebook

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Thought I would have a crack at a podcast and see if I can use it to further help the promotion of the bands that I feature on the blog. Take a listen and let me know your comments on it if you wish. I had some microphone issues which are being addressed, but let me know your overall thoughts on the concept and the podcast itself.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

I often think how great it is writing a music blog and hearing music that I may not have otherwise heard if bands didn't send me their music. Sometimes I get this worrying feeling that there is some absolutely amazing music out there that I will never hear, but, can you miss something you haven't heard?

Fortunately, for me (and you), this is one such album that we won't be missing, thanks to The Judes and I am so pleased that I get to share this one with you, this is absolutely sublime.

I have had this album spinning since it dropped through the door yesterday, I had heard one track previously and knew I was in for something special, but I didn't realise quite how special this album would be.

"All That Is" has flavours of Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Lovin' Spoonful, The Turtles, Beach Boys, Teenage Fanclub, The Byrds, but most importantly, it has plenty of The Judes too. If this was a food, I would eat contentedly for the rest of my life.

This 15 track album flows perfectly from track opener, the Lennonesque, "Bide Your Time" to album closer, "Sunday's Well" with its magnificent vocal harmony arrangement. This is all killers and no fillers, to have an album of 15 tracks like this says a lot about the standards and quality of a band.

With the leanings towards the 1950's and 60's on this album, it feels like I should be listening to this from a vintage radiogram, instead, I am loading it all up onto every single media device I have, this is one album I don't want to be without.....and you shouldn't either!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

I received an e mail with an introduction to The Fadeout and their new video, which, was so good, it immediately drew me towards their Bandcamp page and the album they released last year, "Shapes Of Animals."

This debut album from the band is as close to summer in music as you are ever likely to experience with strong 60's styled harmonies, uptempo, happy, melodic tunes, fine lyrics and songs constructed to wrap you in the warmth of the sounds emerging from within them. I kind of wish that I had found this band, or rather, they had found me at the start of the summer, so I could bathe in the sun rays whilst awash with the glorious vibes, but hey, things don't always work out the way you hope, but the colours of Autumn will be glowing brighter this year listening to this album, whilst aiding the inner warmth that only some music can conjure up.

The Fadeout hail from Montreal, where they have garnered a healthy following, along with on the East coast of the US. I can imagine that this is a band with a sound that will travel well from coast to coast in the US and into Europe, right before they take on the rest of the world, go immerse yourself into the beauty, that is The Fadeout, now.

Mooner, whose EP's we have featured on the blog are back with a new offering in the form of a Name Your Price/Free download called "Making Americans."

The Elvis Costello indebted single was recorded by Mike Hagler (Wilco, Neko Case, Mekons) at his studio, King Size Soundlabs, in Chicago, recorded live with minimal overdubs and the result is a fantastic piece of Power Pop tinged Americana.

I don't usually feature bands with no releases for punters to go grab but these young men from Sheffield have a great sound which you can hear on Soundcloud (link at bottom) and I would like to share them here with you, they certainly bring a smile to my face with their songs and hopefully they will do the same for you.

Currently unsigned and concentrating on writing more of their own material, I have a feeling that their brand of uptempo, indie pop will be very popular once they are out there amongst the masses.

The band are gigging more and more frequently and say that they "aren't fussy where we play," so if you want to hear the guys in your area, then drop them a line.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Two brilliant releases from "Planting Seeds Records" and I will kick things off with "The Young Sinclairs" who we have featured here on the blog a couple of times. What more I can add to what we have written about them previously I don't really know? Guest contributor to the blog Interplanet Janet puts the case forward for this superb outfit from Roanoke, VA far more eloquently than I ever could, so I shall direct you to read her views on this band HERE.

All I shall add is that, if you haven't yet discovered this band, then you are in for an absolute treat, think, Buddy Holly meets The Zombies and jamming with The Byrds and you just start to scratch the surface of this bands unbelievable talents, 60's pop psyche, garage at its absolute best, yes, we absolutely, completely and utterly adore The Young Sinclairs here at Ice Cream Man and are as happy as Larry to share them with you.

This single will be available to purchase from September 17th from Planting Seeds Records HERE

Death Valley Rally are a new band to me but as soon as this CD fired up and the track "Come On" started playing, I was instantly reminded of early "My Bloody Valentine" and the same wave of excitement washed over me that I had when I first heard "Sunny Sundae Smile" way back further than I care to recall in term of years.

The sound is cleaner than that of their shoegazing, wall of sound peers, but, the elements are all there.

Track 2, "Your Frequency Doesn't Matter" is more melodic, once again reminding me of of another band, this time it was "Ride." Now, don't get me wrong, this band aren't simply copying bands that have gone by prior to their existence, but they have taken the cogs and wheels and reinvented the sound making it all their own, this is shoegaze, this is grunge, this is pop but more importantly it is a new and refreshing twist on a sterling genre of music, now with an extra shine.

The six tracks here will satisfy your every whim in all the afore mentioned genres and whims you didn't even know you had, and, this is their debut, I for one can't wait to hear what this band have to offer us in the future.

Death Valley Rally.

This CD wil be released on Planting Seeds Records August 27th, order your copy HERE

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Once again the Phenomenal Cat steams into town with another fantastic, sugar baked slice of delectable power pop, this time in the form of the latest single in the conceptual "Pop Wasteland" graphic novel for which these songs are the rock 'n' roll soundtrack to.

"Nowhere Town" if taken as a single, without the graphic novel to read along with, bolsters the fact, that, this band is one hell of a band, deserving to take a place in rock 'n' roll history, with their songwriting being compared to The Kinks and Blur with quintessential Englishness.

Get the songs and the graphic novel and you soon realise that this band have embarked on an original concept. Sure we have had the rock opera and other bands may have attempted this style of scenario, but none of late and none with such style and panache as Phenomenal Cat.

French Boutik are back with another glorious offering of modern French pop in the form of a double vinyl 45rpm release, ticking all the right boxes in order for you to dance the night away to their glorious sounds of poppy, buzzing, powerful guitar, blended with the finest percolating organ which represents the timely marriage between English and French pop.

The new single is available for pre order now via the bands facebook page along with their fantastic back catologue.

Monday, August 12, 2013

This arrived with me last week from Japan and it is both sweet and amazing and therefore is very aptly named, in my humble opinion.

Having only heard a couple of tracks by this band before, I was not really sure what to expect, but I was absolutely bowled over by opening track and album title track, "Sweet Amazer" which has an almost Northern Soul feel to it with a steady 4/4 beat which you simply can't resist tapping your feet along to, a similar feel is carried along on the 2nd track, "Heartache Close" before things change a little and become more poppy on the rest of the album, but with equally impressive sounds and main man Tatsuhiko Watanabe, has a really distinctive voice, sometimes haunting, sometimes poppy, but always keeping you hanging on every word he sings, it has been a long time since I heard a voice that stands out so distinctively and so thoroughly charming. The 7 track mini album also includes a great cover of XTC's "The Dissapointed."

Sadly, I am unable to find a link to post up any of the complete track from the album, the band does have a reverbnation page with some of their back catologue on, which I will link to at the end of this post, but rest assured, if you want to take a chance on this mini album, I would be very surprised if you were dissapointed!

The Penelopes was essentially the work of singer/songwriter Tatsuhiko, the group debuted in 1993 with the album "Big Golden Cage", followed a year later by "Touch The Ground," although by this time the band was basically a solo project of Tatsuhiko, he maintained the Penelopes name for 1997's "Kiss Of Life" and "APlace In the Sun." Issued the same year was the bands first long player, issued on his own label, Vaudeville Park Records.

Several albums have followed and the band have also contributed to many compilation albums.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Drummer Michael Mark and singer Tom Burns started making music together before they were even old enough to drive. In college they met up indie rock guitar slinger Alan Tepper, and after a twenty year audition, they finally asked him to join the band.

The Kimballs instinctively tap into 70's - 80's AM radio pop, which they then update and abbreviate in their stripped down post-punk DIY ethic.

I have had this album, along with the bands debut album for just over a week and I have been playing them continuously, immersed in them, without skipping a single track, there are no filler tracks here, just full on, quality power pop, real classic power pop.

It comes as no surprise that their blend of music has been included in award winning films and is also on constant rotation on college radio. Is this a power pop masterpiece? Yes, I do believe it is. If you only buy one record this year, buy this one and then buy the bands debut album "Number One," which is also another prime cut in the world of power pop. I know that is two albums, but seriously, do it!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

These guys should need no introduction on the blog, they finished in the second spot on my year end list last year, which, to be honest, was a really dilemma for me to choose as I absolutely love this band, the harmonies, the songs, everything.

Hailing, as all top notch surf bands do, from Denmark, so if you are around Copenhagen and the surf is on the low side, go see if these guys are playing, they put on a great show at the famous Cavern in Liverpool this year.

The Castle Forever is a distance relationship with one of the two members being in Slovakia and the other in England, though unlike most long distance relationships, this one seems quite healthy with a solid bond, which is apparent in the music, between members, Craig Phillips and Stephen Birtchnell.

The Zags are a new Power Pop quartet out of Portland, Oregon and they have just released their debut single "It's Over" which is an absolute Power Pop gem, 2 minutes and 7 seconds of raw guitars and vocals with attitude and you can download it for FREE too.

I think this is a really great debut, the recording is rough and ready and I am unable to say if that was what they wanted, but it suits the style perfectly and I would put money down that we are going to be hearing some more absolute cracking tunes form these guys, and girl, in the future.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

This has been sitting in my inbox for a while, which is a real shame as they are an absolute stomp along band, personally I blame all the spammers who keep writing to me, with offers of sharing millions of dollars, which I never get, anyway, music is worth so much more and I get it!

Classified frequency describe themselves as a "High energy, break the doors down, power pop, powerhouse power trio." I certainly wouldn't disagree with that, their tunes thunder along at 100mph, chunky guitars, strong hooks, great melodies and a vocal delivery to die for, as for the drummer, I'll have two of whatever he has before going out this weekend!

"Have A Nice Day" is the bands latest offering, but have a listen to their previous EP, the aptly named "Heart Attack" EP, also on Soundcloud to get a real feel for what this Washington DC band are all about, this is Power Pop with the emphasis right on the power!

Not just a stunning cover, this is also a stunning piece of classic power pop which comes from a band that was formed over in "Myspace," remember that place? The results of that meeting are some super, top notch Power Pop that has been lauded from Australia to Norway and pretty much everywhere in between, sadly, they haven't landed here in Sweden yet, but looking at their touring schedule and the close proximity of Latvia to us here, I am sure when they come back for their return tours they will drop by and I hope they do, this brand of power pop will certainly be more than welcome.

Contact Ice Cream Man

If you are a musician or in a band and you would like your band/music featured on the radio show, then please send me an e mail. The primary purpose of the show is to aid promotion of new bands. We look forward to hearing from you.icecreammanpowerpop@hotmail.com

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